What’s happening now?

The town is waiting for a finalized plan and budget from the engineering firm.  This is expected by the end of 2021.

Upcoming meetings:

We don’t have any meetings planned, but check back soon!

Timeline to date:

November 20th, 2020: The appeal filed by the neighbors against the Conservation Commission’s decision was denied by the court.

May 3rd, 7:30: The Conservation Committee approves the plan and passes it 4 - 1.

April 4, 2018: The town voted YES for a dog park on the Moore Property.

March 1, 2018: 7:15 Library Meeting Room - Planning and Zoning meeting and public statements - Planning and Zoning made a positive 8-24 referral stating the dog park was an appropriate use for that parcel of land.

February 22, 2018: 7:30 Town Hall Meeting Room - Conservation meeting continued to March 26th at 7:30 Town Hall Meeting Room

February 12, 2018: Parks and Rec. unanimously voted to approve the concept as presented by John Conte, and agreed they would take responsibility for the dog park if it gets built.

January 18, 2018: The BoS voted to send the dog park proposal to a town vote, date to be decided.  With the new driveway, the proposal needs to be reviewed by conservation, parks and recreation, and planning and zoning again.  There will also be another public hearing.

September 9th, 2017: This was a public hearing where everyone was able to voice their opinions regarding the dog park.  Thank you to our supporters for the great turnout.

August 3rd, 2017: The BoS set a date for a public hearing and a town vote.

​May 17, 2017:​ Board of Selectmen discussed Bisceglie Park as a possible location for the dog park but was deemed too small at .7 acres in addition to flood concerns and wetlands. Moore House soccer field #5 was also discussed.  No decision was made regarding that option.

April 24, 2017: Planning and Zoning issued a 5 -2 negative vote. Several members voting No to assure a town vote.

April 17, 2017: Continuation of Planning and Zoning meeting – public comment was closed and members agreed to continue discussion.

April 3, 2017: Planning and Zoning meeting to discuss the referral for a CGS Section 8-24 report for the proposed community dog park. John Conte and Mark Harper presented site specifics of the Davis Hill Property. Town comments followed.

February 23, 2017: The Conservation Committee unanimously approved the application for the dog park. Next stop, Planning and Zoning on April 3rd.

Feb. 13, 2017: John Conte (Town Engineer) and Mark Harper (Town Animal Control Officer) presented the property survey and related information to the Parks and Recreation department. The Parks and Rec. committee unanimously approved the concept.

Feb. 11, 2017: The conservation committee walked the site of the proposed dog park. They will be discussing their findings and voting whether or not to move forward at a meeting on February 23rd at 7:30 pm at the annex on School Rd. Please stop in and show your support if you can.
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JAN. 30, 2017: On January 26th, the Weston Dog Park was on the agenda for the Conservation Committee. The committee will be walking the proposed site in early February and will continue their discussion at the next Conservation meeting.

​NOV 16, 2016: Weston BOS approves Town Engineer John Conte's request to stake the area of potential community dog park parking area, to allow for Conservation and P&Z evaluations.

NOV 3, 2016: In Weston BOS meeting, Weston Town Engineer John Conte presents plans for potential community dog park parking area. 

JUL 21, 2016: Weston BOS approves a proposed survey of the 36-acre Moore Property. 3-7 acres of this property have been designated in the 6/30/16 BOS meeting as a potential site for a community dog park. The town does not have an up-to-date survey. 

JUN 30, 2016: Mark Harper (Weston Animal Control Officer) proposes a potential location for a community dog park on the interior of the town owned 36-acre Moore Property (Davis Hill Rd). Weston BOS approve CGS Section 8-24 referral to P&Z and the Conservation Committee, for proposed community dog park on that site.

MAY 5, 2016: The idea of a community dog park is presented in Town Hall by Weston Dog Park founder Maria Calamito-Proto. The Weston BOS designate Mark Harper (Weston Animal Control Officer) to work with Weston Dog Park on moving forward with the idea.  


*Minutes are availble on the Town of Weston website:  http://www.westonct.gov/meetings/29875

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Weston Dog Park is a group of dog-loving and community-minded town residents who have come together with the goal of creating a fenced dog park in Weston, CT. Our dog park will bring Weston dog owners together as it provides a local, safe environment for dogs to exercise and socialize. 

"Like" and visit us on facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/westondogpark/

​Moore Property Site Survey

FAQ:

These answers are subject to change due to the ongoing nature of this project.
 
Who is the Weston Dog Park, Inc.?
The Weston Dog Park (WDP) is a non-profit 501(C)(3) which was formed to raise money to build a dog park in Weston, CT.
 
What is the MOU?
The MOU is basically an agreement between the town and the WDP explaining the responsibilities of each party.  (See attachment 15 www.westonct.gov)
 
What will WDP be paying for?
The WDP will be paying for the fence, which includes double-gated entries, emergency vehicle entrance, a large dog area and a small dog area.  The WDP will also be paying for tree removal and clean up inside the fenced area.  In addition we will be paying for benches, signage, plaques, and waste bag dispensers.  Any extra funds will be given to the town towards their costs. 
 
What will the town be paying for?
The town will be paying for the driveway for access onto the property, the tree removal and drainage in that area. Costs to the town are unknown until the new survey and estimates are submitted to the town.

How much money has been raised to date?
As of December 2019, WDP has raised approximately $110,000 which is about $30,000 more than their committed amount.  The Excess money will go towards the town’s portion of building the driveway.  WDP will continue to raise money until the build begins.
 
What is the Moore property?
The Moore Property is a 36-acre municipally owned parcel of land, located on Davis Hill Road.
 
What were the stipulations on the land?
The only stipulations in the deed were that the land could not be sold to a third party for residential or commercial development.
 
Why did the town buy this property? 
The Town purchased this property to be land banked for future municipal use. 
Then Selectmen Woody Bliss stated that this land would be “suitable for anything – a firehouse, a school, a park, etc.”
 
How much did the Town pay for this property?
The town spent 2.3 million dollars of taxpayers’ money.
 
Why can’t the dog park go someplace else?
All Town properties have been evaluated by The Board of Selectmen (starting with Nina Daniel, Chris Spaulding and Dennis Tracy), John Conte (Town Engineer), Mark Harper (Animal Control), the Parks and Recreation Department and the School facilities committee, and the Board of Selectmen.
 
How much will this cost the town in extra insurance?
The town’s insurer has said that the cost to add a dog park to its existing insurance would be minimal.
 
Who will maintain the park and how much will that cost?
The dog park, as with all Weston parks, will be part of the Parks and Recreation Department.  They have projected a $500 per year cost to maintain the park.  Any additional monies raised by WDP above the cost of the park will be given to the town towards future maintenance costs.
 
How many trees will be cut?
There will be no clear cutting of the land. It is unknown how many trees will be removed for the driveway.  In the actual park, the only trees to be removed will be dying, diseased, and dangerous trees aka widow makers will be cleared along with cutting branches that are less than 7 feet high.   They will be clearing out brush, dead limbs and debris to expose the natural floor of the land.
 
Why was the driveway location moved?
After the public hearing on September 2017 the BoS revisited the Davis Hill location for the driveway and decided that a driveway on Lords Highway would be a better location for several reasons.  The main reason was safety, a concern raised by many people who spoke out against the dog park.  Another reason sited was that the new location would allow access to that property with off the street parking for anyone who wants to use it.  People will be able to park and easily walk the beautiful trails with or without dogs.
 
Has there been an environmental impact study?
No environmental impact study was done. Thirteen dog parks in the area were contacted and not one did an environmental impact study, and all reported that there were no pollution or waste problems at their parks.  Some of these parks include Ridgefield, Easton, Westport, and Newtown.
 
What about poop and urine?
Fenced in dog parks are generally much cleaner than trails or non-fenced parks. The Westport Weston Health District stated that they have “no objections to the proposal.”  Currently there are no State of CT and/or local public health codes governing siting and/or 
 
Who is Stop the Weston Dog Park and why do neighbors want to stop it?
We don’t know who is behind the Stop group.  We can only assume the neighbors want to stop it because they do not want anything on that piece of town-owned land. Currently they are the only people who can easily access the property. 
 
When will the dog park be built?
We are hoping to break ground sometime in the Spring of 2022.

Dog Park Sight Line Map